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Biomedical subjects

A Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to A Kumar.

At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Field trials of biolarvicide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis strain 164 and the larvivorous fish Aplocheilus blocki against Anopheles stephensi for malaria control in Goa, India.

Severe outbreaks of malaria occurred in the coastal villages of the Candolim Primary Health Centre (PHC) of Goa, India, in 1993 and 1994. These outbreaks were associated with accelerated construction activity with an influx of migrant laborers. The weekly application of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) strain 164 at 1 g/m2 and introduction of the indigenous larvivorous fish Aplocheilus blocki in major breeding habitats of Anopheles stephensi replaced ongoing DDT spraying and pyrethrum fogging in June 1994. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of B.t.i. and larvivorous fish on An. stephensi and subsequent transmission of malaria in the Candolim PHC, Goa, India. In 1995 the populations of an. stephensi in larger habitats (habitats with immatures: t = 5.19, P = 0.0017; immature density: t = 3.57, P = 0.007) and smaller habitats (habitats with immature: t = 3.86, P = 0.005; immature density: t = 4.93, P = 0.002) and malaria incidence declined substantially (malaria cases: chi 2 = 712, P < 0.001; slide positivity rate: chi 2 = 10.36, P < 0.001; annual parasite index; chi 2 = 15.1, P < 0.001), whereas the incidence of malaria continued to increase in other nearby towns.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

An antibody induction method in mice for the potency assays of diphtheria and tetanus components in combined vaccines.

Eleven batches of Adsorbed Diphtheria-Tetanus (DT) vaccines and thirteen batches of Adsorbed Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus (DTP) vaccines were tested for the potency of diphtheria and tetanus components by an Antibody Induction Method (AIM) developed in mice. The potency results obtained were found comparable and did not show any statistically significant difference with those obtained by WHO recommended lethal challenge tests for diphtheria in guinea pigs and for tetanus in mice. AIM in mice is more economical as both diphtheria and tetanus components of combined vaccine can be tested in the same experiment and the procedure also eliminates the use of guinea pigs required in the lethal challenge/conventional tests. The data obtained while testing tetanus component by the conventional antibody induction (IP) method in guinea pigs suggests that minimum requirements laid down in i.p. is too low which may be fixed as at least 3 out of 9 guinea pig sera and should contain > or = 4 units of tetanus antitoxin per ml.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Diagnosis and management of idiopathic macular holes.

Modern vitreoretinal surgery is now one of the most effective tools for treating posterior segment diseases. Recent advances in the pathogenesis and classification and better indicators of visual outcome for idiopathic macular holes have led to a renewed interest in this clinical entity. Refinements in the techniques and instrumentation have led to improvement in surgical results. This article reviews the diagnosis and management of idiopathic macular holes.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1998

Distribution and feeding efficacy of larvivorous fishes of Goa.

Fifteen species of larvivorous fishes, viz. Aplocheilus blockii, Aplocheilus lineatus, Rasbora daniconius, Puntius vittatus, Puntius melanampyx pradhani, Puntius amphibius, Macropodus cupanus, Danio aequipinnatus. Oreochromis mossambicus, Heteropneustes sp, Therapon jarbua, Etroplus suratensis, Mugil cephalus. Osteochilichthys nashii and Hypselobarbus dobsoni were collected from different parts of Goa. Their habitat wise distribution was studied and density was recorded. Daily average consumption of mosquito larvae varied between 62.5 and 736 per fish. On the basis of their larvivoracity and extensive distribution, Aplocheilus blockii and Rasbora daniconius are recommended for use in malaria control operations in Goa.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Clinical safety and efficacy of first indigenous recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.

A pilot study was conducted to assess the clinical safety and immunogenicity of an indigenously developed recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Shanvac B) in 18 healthy adults. 20 microg of vaccine was administered at 0, 1 and 2 months. Protective anti HBs titres developed in 22%, 77% and 100% one month after 1st, 2nd and 3rd dose of vaccination, respectively. The geometric mean titre after the 3rd dose was 1015.29 mIu/ml. The vaccine was well tolerated with minor local and systemic side effects in 28% and 22%, respectively. The indigenously developed recombinant hepatitis B vaccine is safe, well tolerated and highly immunogenic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Gujjar Bakarwals: the eco-friendly tribals of Jammu and Kashmir since centuries.

According to the ecological approach, health represents the adjustment of the human organism to his environment. The man of today is living in a highly complicated environment and his health problem is more complicated as he is becoming more ingenious. But, there are people who with their strong social structure are living in healthly relatiomshi with their environment and are enjoying the transformation of their rich genetic potentialities into phenotypic realities since centuries. They are Gujjar Bakarwal tribals of Jammu and Kashmir. Here, in this article, the traditionally hard life style of these tribals with reference to their social, physical and biological environment factors which make them eco-friendly has been discussed.

Ecology↗
PubMed1998

Vestibular decruitment, hyperactivity, and rebound caloric nystagmus.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the collective sensitivities of decruitment, hyperactivity, and rebound caloric nystagmus (RCN) for lesions of the brain stem/cerebellum against the current gold standard of imaging, the contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent a vestibular evaluation and a contrast-enhanced MRI scan. SETTING: The study was performed at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: The patients included in this study were evaluated for investigation of a variety of reported problems, including vertigo/dysequilibrium, headache, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Their age range was 13 to 79 years. INTERVENTION: Every patient underwent a vestibular evaluation, which included the Torok monothermal caloric test and an MRI scan. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The results of this caloric test include vestibular decruitment, hyperactivity, and rebound caloric nystagmus. The sensitivity and specificity of these results for MRI confirmed brain stem/cerebellar lesions were determined. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of the measures of this caloric test was 90%. The overall specificity was 25%. CONCLUSIONS: As a screening test for brain stem cerebellar lesions, the Torok monothermal caloric test performs well in terms of its sensitivity. The specificity is low, and this probably because MRI looks at morphology rather than function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Sequelae of early undernutrition on reaction time of rural children at 11-14 years.

85 undernourished rural school children at 11-14 yr of age were randomly selected on the basis of their nutritional status during first five years of life for assessment of reaction time (RT). Audio-visual RT apparatus and electromyograph were used for the study. Early life undernourished children had prolonged RT as compared to their matched control maintaining normal nutrition status in first five years of life. The total, premotor and motor RT for audio as well as visual stimuli were affected in these undernourished children. The RT increased with severity of current undernutrition; those achieving normal nutritional status at this age continued to have prolonged RT. The study suggests that the early life undernutrition affects perceptual abilities, information processing and analytical capabilities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Predictors of outcome in fulminant hepatic failure in children.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the predictors of outcome in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in children. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: 41 children with FHF were studied. Patient characteristics and findings on examination at the time of hospitalization were noted. Serum biochemistry and screening for hepatotropic viruses (A, B and C) were done in each patient. Patients were treated using a predefined protocol and followed up till death or discharge. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done to find the predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Hepatitis B was the commonest cause of FHF (11 children; 26.9%). Markers for hepatitis A and C viruses were present in one and two patients, respectively. Serology was negative in 27 children (65.9%), of whom two had history of ingestion of hepatotoxins (antitubercular drugs). The overall mortality was 61%. Irrespective of etiology, the following factors were associated with poor outcome on univariate analysis: presence of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage, serum bilirubin more than 10 mg/dL, age 6 years or less, coma of grade 3 or more, presence of infection, prolongation of prothrombin time > 8 s over control, prothrombin concentration < 50%, hypoglycemia (blood glucose < 45 mg/dL), hyponatremia (serum sodium < 125 mEq/L) and hyperkalemia (serum potassium > 5.5 mEq/L). On multiple logistic regression analysis, presence of GI hemorrhage (p = 0.005), degree of coma (p = 0.02) and serum bilirubin level (p = 0.025) were identified as independent predictors of mortality.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of some potential cyclic phenothiazines.

Some new schiff's bases (IVa-IVe), thiazolidinones (Va-Ve), delta 2-triazolines (VIa-VIe) and formazans (VIIa-VIIe) of 2-chlorophenothiazine have been synthesized and screened against Carrageenin induced oedema in albino rats. Some compounds of the series have shown promising activity. The most active compound is 2-chloro-10[5-(2-fluorophenyl-2-oxo-4 thiazolidin-1-yl)-amino acetyl] phenothiazine was found to be most potent. This compound (Vb) was further evaluated in detail and compared with phenylbutazone for its relative anti inflammatory potency (ED50), ulcerogenic liabilities (UD50) and acute toxicity (ALD50). It was found to be almost comparable to phenylbutazone as regards anti-inflammatory activity was concerned but and minimum ulcerogenic liability and cardiovascular effects. Hence, it seems promising as an anti-inflammatory agent in our preliminary studies.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Dicationic furans inhibit development of Cryptosporidium parvum in HSD/ICR suckling Swiss mice.

The efficacy of dicationic diarylfurans was evaluated against Cryptosporidium parvum by a suckling murine model. Candidate drugs were solubilized or suspended in deionized water and administered orally at a constant dose rate on days 0-5 (treatment day 0) to suckling ICR Swiss mice experimentally inoculated with oocysts of C. parvum. Efficacy was based on numbers of oocysts recovered from the intestinal tracts of mice subjected to necropsy examination on day 6. Numerous candidate furans significantly reduced the numbers of oocysts recovered from treated mice compared with control mice. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 9 demonstrated superior efficacies (10% of controls or better) against C. parvum. Compounds 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 17, 18, and 19 also significantly reduced the numbers of oocysts recovered from treated mice but demonstrated efficacies ranging from 17 to 65% of controls. Compound 4 was particularly efficacious against C. parvum at a dosage as low as 8.5 mg/kg of body weight. Compound 4 is identified as a lead compound for additional studies in other animal models.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The precursor form of the human kallikrein 2, a kallikrein homologous to prostate-specific antigen, is present in human sera and is increased in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA, hK3) is a diagnostic marker for prostatic cancer but lacks the specificity to sufficiently distinguish between prostatic cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2) has been proposed as a potential diagnostic marker for prostate cancer that could complement the current PSA test. Recently we demonstrated that proPSA is present in prostate cancer sera. This study examines the expression of prohK2 in prostate cells and its presence in human sera. Western blot analysis was used to assess prohK2 expression in the human carcinoma cell line, LNCaP. A highly specific and sensitive dual monoclonal immunoassay for prohK2 was developed and used to assess the presence of prohK2 in human sera. prohK2 was detected in the spent media of LNCaP cells. Furthermore, prohK2 was present at immunodetectable concentrations in human sera, and its concentration was increased in prostatic cancer and BPH. These results indicate for the first time that prohK2 is secreted by human prostate cells and is a major component of uncomplexed (free) hK2 in human sera. In addition, prohK2 in human sera is associated with prostate disease and thus may be a useful marker for prostatic cancer and BPH.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1998

Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activity of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-iodine versus topical antibiotics in cataract surgery.

Comparative evaluation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-iodine versus topical broad-spectrum antibiotics for disinfecting the eye and surrounding area to prevent postoperative complications was carried out on 100 patients. PVP-iodine proved superior antiseptic for pre-operative preparation of eyes before cataract surgery. It was cheaper, caused minimal side-effects, reduced bacterial counts to a great extent and eliminated fungi completely.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗